Apparatus for loading and unloading containers



July 8, 1969 1'.- H. KELLAWAY APPARATUS FOR LOADING AND UNLOADING CONTAINERS Sheet Filed 6, 1966 Q v July 8, 1969 T. H. KELLAWAY 3,454,175

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APPARATUS FOR LOADING AND UNLOADING CONTAINERS Filed May 6, 1966 v sheet ,3 of 6 INVENTOR. THO/7A5 #E/V/PY arm/7m July 8, 1969 1'. H. KELLAWAY I 3,454,175

APPARATUS FOR LOADING AND UNLOADING CONTAINERS Filed: May 6. 1966 Sheet 6 of 6 M Mm;

United States Patent 0 US. Cl. 214-505 3 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE An apparatus for loading and unloading containers on a motor vehicle chassis having a tipping frame adapted to receive the containers when tilted relative to the chassis and to be lowered onto a substantially horizontal position with the container in place thereon. The tipping frame is pivoted to the chassis by mounting brackets with which the tipping frame also has a slidable interfitting relation so as to be moved lengthwise relative to the mounting brackets during the pivotal movement. Power means is provided on thechassis for raising the tipping frame and a link frame interconnects the tipping frame with the chassis frame being pivoted to each so that upon swinging movement of the tipping frame relative to the chassis, the tipping frame will be moved bodily lengthwise relative to the mounting brackets.

This invention relates to improvements in apparatus for loading and unloading containers onto and from vehicles, which apparatus is of the type that utilizes a tipping frame mounted on the chassis of the vehicle adapted to receive the container.

In apparatus of this type, it has been customary heretofore for the tipping frame to be pivotally mounted on the chassis frame of the vehicle at a fixed point. Such an arrangement frequently renders it necessary to have a substantial overhang of the tipping frame from the chassis frame beyond the rear wheels of the vehicle to effect the loading and unloading of the container onto and from the tipping frame.

One object of this invention is to improve the construction of the apparatus by reducing the overhang necessary to carry out the operation in loading and unloading a container.

Another object of the invention is to mount the tipping frame on the chassis frame for bodily movement of the tipping frame relative to the chassis frame as well as for tilting movement relative thereto, so as to effect a displacement of the tipping frame substantially down to ground level when it is tilted to an inclined position.

Still another object of the invention is to improve the supporting assembly for freedom of both swinging and sliding movement of the tipping frame.

A further object of the invention is to lock the tipping frame and permit high level tipping and discharging of the contents of the container.

A still further object of the invention is to improve the construction of the bail arm assembly that is adapted for connection with the container and for yieldably moving the bail into engagement with the container.

These objects may be accomplished, according to one embodiment of the invention, by providing a mounting of the tipping frame on the chassis frame of the vehicle by means of a sliding pivotal mounting for effecting an upward swinging movement and a downward sliding movement of the tipping frame relative to the chassis frame and vice versa.

A link frame assembly operatively connects the tipping frame with the chassis frame to control the sliding movement of the tipping frame during the raising and lowering action thereof.

Additional means may be provided on the tipping frame movable alternately in opposite directions lengthwise thereof adapted to load or unload a container onto or off said frame in inclined positions thereof.

Provision is made also for locking the tipping frame against endwise sliding movement so as to permit the container to be pulled up to a high elevation for discharging the contents therefrom in the manner of a conventional tipper vehicle. The means for effecting such locking action can be controlled manually or hydraulically, as desired, to cause a cam lever to be moved into a slot in the wearing strip attached to the underside of the tipping frame thereby for locking the tipping frame against endwise movement.

This embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a side elevation of a motor vehicle chassis, showing the invention applied thereto;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view thereof;

FIG. 3 is an end view of the tipping frame assembly;

FIG. 4 is a cross section of the tipping frame on the line 4-4 in FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a side elevation, partly in section, showing the locking stop assembly;

FIG. 6 is a cross section on the line 66 in FIG. 7;

FIG. 7 is a detail cross section of the locking stop assembly, partly in elevation;

FIG. 8 is a top plan view thereof;

FIG. 9 is a cross section of the tipping frame on the line 99 in FIG. 2;

FIG. 10 is a plan view of the link frame assembly;

FIG. 11 is a detail cross section through an end portion of the link frame assembly on the line 1111 in FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is a similar view of the opposite end portion of the link frame assembly on the line 12-12 in FIG. 10;

FIG. 13 is a side elevation thereof;

FIG. 14 is a top plan view of the bail arm assembly;

FIG. 15 is a side elevation thereof; and

FIG. 16 is an end elevation thereof.

The invention is illustrated as applied to a motor vehicle, generally designated by the numeral 1, including a chassis frame 2 supported by suitable front and rear wheels, the latter being illustrated at 3 in FIGS. 1 and 2. The invention makes it possible to use a vehicle of single axle rear wheels, as contrasted with a dual axle vehicle frequently used heretofore. The vehicle is power driven in the usual manner under control of an operator located within the cab of the vehicle. The chassis frame 2 should be of sufficient length to receive a separate body or a large size container, generally indicated at 4, and which is often of the size of a conventional truck body.

A tipping frame is indicated generally at 5, extending lengthwise of the chassis frame 2 and mounted over the frame for swinging movement to different positions relative thereto, as indicated in dotted lines in FIG. 1. One end of the tipping frame 5 is supported in a sliding block assembly 6 pivoted at-7 on a mounting bracket 8, which in turn, is secured directly on top of the vehicle chassis frame 2. The opposite end of the tipping frame 5 rests in lowered position upon a tie member 9 positioned on top of the chassis frame 2 and fixed to the latter by moun-ting plates 10 which are secured by suitable fastenings to the chassis frame 2.

As shown more in detail in FIGS. 2 to 4 and 9, the tipping frame 5 comprises a pair of parallel side members 11 which may be I-beams or other suitable structural elements adapted to receive on the top surfaces thereof the container 4 which may slide lengthwise of the tipping frame and be seated thereon. Guide flanges are indicated at 12 to confine the container on the tipping frame against lateral displacement relative thereto. Lock members are shown at 13 adapted to be engaged by portions of the container 4 in its forwardmost position to hold the container in place.

The side members 11 of the tipping frame are connected together at their front ends by a tie beam 14, while the rear ends thereof are connected together by a tie beam 15. Intermediate the front and rear ends of the side members 11, the latter are connected together by a hydraulic pipe support plate 16 (FIG. 4) having a notch 17 in the upper surface thereof. Spaced lengthwise rearwardly from the plate 16 is a cross beam assembly, shown more in detail in FIG. 9. The cross beam assembly includes upper and lower beam members 18 and 19 joined together by plates 20 at the ends thereof and secured by respective brackets 21 to the inner faces of the tipping frame side members 11. This beam assembly is suitably braced and constructed to provide sufficient rigidity and strength to transmit lifting force to the tipping frame.

This tipping force may be provided by one or more hydraulic cylinders, two of which are shown at 22 in FIGS. 1 and 2. Any suitable or desired construction of hydraulic cylinders may be used such, for example, as a 2-stage double-acting cylinder. In the illustrated embodiment, the piston rod of each cylinder 22 is pivotally connected at 23 with cars 24 provided on top of the tie beam assembly member 18.

At its opposite end, each of the tipping cylinders 22 is pivotally connected at 25 with a mounting bracket 26 provided on the tie beam 9. Thus, the tipping cylinders 22 are positioned above the chassis frame 2 which facilitates mounting of the tipping frame on different types of chassis and also gives greater retraction effort on the tipping frame.

Mounted within the tipping frame is a carriage assembly, generally indicated at 31, the construction of which is well known in the art and need not be illustrated in detail. The carriage assembly 31 is supported by either slide members or rollers in channels provided by the inner surfaces of the tipping frame for reciprocating movement lengthwise of the tipping frame and in guided relation thereto. The reciprocating movement is accomplished by a longitudinal cylinder 32 (FIG. 2) pivotally supported at one end, at 33, at the front end of the tipping frame 5, and the opposite end portion of the cylinder 32 extends through the notch 17 provided in the support plate plate 16 of the tipping frame. The piston rod of the cylinder 32 is operatively connected with the carriage 31.

Mounted on the carriage 31 is a bail arm assembly 35, shown in detail in FIGS. 14 to 16. The bail arm assembly 35 includes a pair of side members 36 pivoted at 37 to the carriage 31. Each of the side members 36 is formed of an I-beam for strength and rigidity. These side members 36 are connected together at their intermediate portions by cross braces 38, and extend forwardly in converging relation, being connected together at their front ends by a bail member 39.

Extending inwardly from each of the side members 36 is an anchor plate 40, the underside of which carries a guide sleeve 41 receiving one end of a coiled spring 42a. The opposite end of the coiled spring 42a is anchored to a corresponding seat on the carriage 31. The pair of coiled springs 42a serve to hold the bail arm assembly 35 yieldably in an elevated position with respect to the tipping frame, as indicated in FIG. 1.

The container 4 is provided with a longitudinal hook bar 42 having hook stations 43 spaced at intervals therealong in positions for selective engagement and successive connection of the bail arm assembly 35 with the hook bar 42 at the respective stations. Each of the hook stations 43 usually is provided with a pair of opposed hooks spaced apart from each other and having a depending pivoted shuttle therebetween to control the engagement of the bail member 39 with the respective hooks as the carriage 31 is reciprocated by the cylinder 32 back 4 and forth with respect to the tipping frame 5. This action is well known in the art and need not be set forth in detail.

The container 4, which is detachable from the chassis of the vehicle, may be of any suitable size and type having a subframe which includes a pair of transversely spaced longitudinally extending beams forming runners for supporting the container upon the top surfaces of the tipping frame 5. At their forward ends, the beams are usually curved upwardly to facilitate the guiding of the container into its position on the tipping frame while the rear ends of the beams are provided with arcuately shaped skids which support the rear of the container as it is moved onto or off the tipping frame.

The sliding block assembly 6 is shown more in detail in FIGS. 5 to 8. The assembly 6 includes side plates 44 supported upon the pivot 7 and extending in opposite directions lengthwise of the chassis therefrom. The opposite outer ends of the side plates 44 have mounting pins 45 supported therein and extending in bridging relation between the transversely spaced side plates 44. Each of the pins 45 has a slide block 46 supported thereon and upon which the wearing strip 47 at the undersurface of the corresponding beam member 11 of the tipping frame is supported. This tipping frame thus is mounted upon the slide blocks 46, and by means of the plates 44 is pivotally mounted on the chassis by the pivot 7. It is also capable of lengthwise sliding movement relative to the chassis, as indicated in dotted lines in FIG. 1.

The respective beam members 11 of the tipping frame are held in place on the slide blocks 46 by guide members 48 which overhang the flanges of the I-beams forming these side members, according to this embodiment of the invention. A low friction material may be used for these sliding surfaces in order to reduce the power loss to a minimum such, for example, as nylon, plastic fabric laminate materials, etc.

The pivot member 7 is shown in the form of a shaft extending from side to side of the chassis, as illustrated particularly in FIGS. 7 and 8. This pivot shaft 7 serves to operate a locking device at each side of the vehicle. Thus, it is provided with a cam-shaped lever 49 fixed on each opposite end of the shaft 7 in position to engage in a slot 50 formed in the wearing strip 47 on the tipping frame. The position of this slot is such that when the tipping cylinders 22 are fully retracted the slot 50 is positioned approximately seven incches forward of the slide block pivot point comprising the axis of the pivot 7.

The cam lever 49 is shown in FIG. 5 in two positions, a raised position where it engages in the slot 50 to lock the tipping frame against sliding movement in the direction indicated by the arrow in FIG. 5 and in a retracted position where the cam lever is lowered below the bottom surface of the wearing strip 47 and therefore out of position for engaging the slot 50'.

The position of the cam lever 49 is controlled by a lever 51 secured to the pivot shaft 7 intermediate the width of the chassis according to the illustrated embodiment. One end of the lever 51 connected by a tension spring 52 with a bracket 53 fixed to the chassis frame and normally tending to turn the pivot shaft 7 to move the cam lever 49 to its retracted or unlocked position. This lever 51 can be operated manually or by power to rotate the shaft 7 to move the cam lever to its locked position. The end of the lever 51 opposite from the point of connection of the tension spring 52 has connected thereto a push-pull cable devioe, generally indicated at 54, which may extend to suitable power means such, for example, as a lever within convenient reach of the operator in the cab or a power cylinder or the like for effecting such movement.

The lengthwise sliding movement of the tipping frame 5 is controlled by a link formed by a swing frame 55, shown in FIG. 1, and more in detail in FIGS. 10 to 13. The swing frame 55 is pivotally connected at 56 to ears 57 mounted on a tie beam 58 which is seated on top of the chassis frame 2. The opposite ends of the tie beam 58 are provided with mounting plates 59 secured by suitable fastenings to the respective members of the chassis frame 2.

The opposite end of the swing frame 55 is pivotally connected at 60 with brackets 61 secured to the underside of the tipping frame 5. The brackets 61 are spaced from the forward end of the tipping frame in proper position for controlling the swinging movement of the tipping frame.

The swing frame 55 is capable of extending movement under certain conditions, as hereinafter explained, and accordingly it is extendible to lengthen or shorten the distance between the axes of the pivots 56 and 60, as will be apparent from the several positions indicated in FIG. 1. This extending movement is provided by constructing the swing frame of outer and inner arms, generally indicated at 62 and 63, respectively, telescopically connected together. In the illustrated embodiment, the outer arms 62 comprise a pair of side members 64 spaced apart distances approximating the spacing of the members of the chassis frame 2. The respective side members 64 are provided with lugs 65 at one end thereof within which pins are mounted forming the pivots 56 to connect the swing frame with the ears 57. These side members 64 are connected together by cross members 66.

The inner arm 63 is also formed of a pair of spaced side members 67 which telescope into the side members 64 and are slidable lengthwise relative thereto. These side members 67 are connected together by a cross member 68 adjacent the pivot pins 60. These pivot pins 60 are mounted in lugs 69 secured to the ends of the side members 67 and serve to connect the adjacent end of the swing frame with the tipping frame, as described above.

The inner arm side members 67 are also connected together at the opposite end of the swing frame by a cross member 69a. Plates 70 are used to connect the free end of the outer arm assembly '62. In this way, each of the arms comprises a rectangular frame and when telescoped together in the manner illustrated in FIGS. to 13, this swing frame forms an extendible link between the chassis frame and the tipping frame.

In operation, assuming the container is to be loaded onto the vehicle, the rear of the vehicle is placed adjacent to and in alignment with the front of the container and the tipping frame is swung upwardly to one of the dotted line positions in FIG. 1, during which swinging movement the tipping frame is caused to slide bodily downward through the action of the swing frame 55 toward the ground and substantially to ground level, as illustrated in the lower dotted line position in FIG. 1. Also in this position it is substantially in longitudinal alignment with the front edge of the subframe of the container.

When the tipping frame is in this position, the carriage 31 is moved to the lower end of the now inclined tipping frame, with the bail arm assembly 35 in its raised position relative to the tipping frame. This bail arm assembly extends beyond the lower end of the tipping frame and beneath the forward end of the subframe supporting the container so that due to the action of the coiled springs 42a, the bail member 39 is urged upwardly into engagement with the front hook station. The carriage 31 is then retracted toward the front of the vehicle by operation of the cylinder 32.

This first stroke of the carriage is suificient to cause the container 4 to engage the lower end of the tilting frame. Then the carriage 31 is moved forwardly a second time to engage the next hook station and then retracted to pull the container another step onto the tipping frame. Thus, the container is drawn step-'by-step onto the tipping frame 5 by successive steps of the carriage and its associated bail assembly. During this step-by-step operation, the tipping frame 5 is gradually lowered until its rests flat upon the chassis frame 2.

It will be appreciated that in order to unload the container 4 from the vehicle, the operation described above is reversed. The container can be loaded onto or unloaded from the vehicle to a loading dock, rail vehicle or platform, as well as from the ground.

Where heavy weights are involved, a bracing action at the rear end of the vehicle may be desirable during the loading and unloading operation. To assist in thus bracing the chassis, the rear end of the chassis frame may be provided, if desired, with a jack leg assembly, an example of which is illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2. This jack leg assembly comprises a ground engaging roller 73 supported at opposite ends by arms 74 pivotally mounted at 75 on a support 76 secured to the chassis frame 2. The arms 74 have bracing links 77 pivoted thereto at 78. The links 77 have an interposed brace 79 therebetween. The upper ends of the links 77 have pivoted thereto at 80, toggle links 81, which in turn are pivoted at 82 to the frame support 76. The links 77 and 81 form a toggle frame. A hydraulic cylinder 83 is operatively connected with the toggle frame on the axis of the pivots 80, to swing the bracing link 77-8-1 and thus to raise or lower the roller 73 and to hold it in rigid relation to the chassis frame 2 when a heavy container is to be picked up or lowered.

When it is desired to use the container 4 to discharge the contents of the body in the manner of conventional tipping vehicle, this may be acomplished by raising the tipping frame 5 to the uppermost position shown in dotted lines in FIG. 1. The container 4, when desired for use in this manner, should have an end door 71 which may be hinged at 72 to the body of the container for swinging,

movement to an open position. This will allow the contents to be discharged by gravity. The locking device 49 is then used to effect operation as a discharge tipper.

The tipping cylinders 22 are operated to raise the tipping frame 5. As the required tipping force greatly exceeds the effort to move the unit rearward, the tipping frame 5 will slide. During this movement, the operator will effect the operation of the means such, for example as the cable 54, to engage the locking arm 49 with the slot 50, one on each side of the vehicle. Once this locking lever has engaged in the slot, the continued action of the cylinders 22 will then react against the stop thus effected at 49-50 and thereby arrests all rearward motion of the tipping frame, but permits the full effort from the tipping cylinders to tip the frame 5, and this continues until the tipping frame reaches the extended position illustrated in dotted lines in FIG. 1.

With all sliding movement thus arrested at 49-50, it is necessary that the swing link 55 be allowed to extend and the telescopic assembly of the outer and inner arms 62 and 63 will thereby allow of this extended action. The swing link is not under a tensile force, but remains in its closed position during the normal operation of moving the container 4 forward and backward in the manner described above with respect to the tipping frame. However, it does extend to effect the extended raising movement of the tipping frame as desired, for dumping from the container in the manner of a conventional tipper vehicle.

While the invention has been illustrated and described in one embodiment, it is recognized that variations and changes may be made therein without departing from the invention as set forth in the claims.

I claim:

1. Apparatus for loading and unloading a container on a motor vehicle wherein the motor vehicle includes a chassis frame, comprising a tipping frame adapted to receive a container thereon, means on the tipping frame for moving the container relative thereto, support members adapted to be mounted on the chassis frame having the tipping frame mounted thereon and having interfitting slidable connections with the tipping frame, means pivoting the support members to the chassis frame, supporting means on the chassis frame, link means including a rectangular frame pivoted at one end to the supporting means and pivoted at the opposite end to the tipping frame and extending lengthwiseof the tipping frame and disposed in a substantially horizontal position intermediate the top of the chassis frame and the bottom of the tipping frame when the tipping frame is in its lowermost position for causing sliding movement of the said tipping frame during the swinging movement thereof on the support members.

2. Apparatus for loading and unloading a container on a motor vehicle according to claim 1, including means for locking the tipping frame against lengthwise sliding movement relative to the support members, said locking means including a cam member, means forming a recess in the under surface of the tipping frame, and means for swinging the cam member into locking engagement with the recess.

3. Apparatus for loading and unloading a container on a motor vehicle, comprising a tipping frame adapted to receive the container thereon, means on the tipping frame for moving the container relative thereto, supporting means, means mounting the tipping frame on the supporting means for swinging movement relative thereto, and link means interconnecting said tipping frame with the supporting means for causing sliding movement of said tipping frame duringsaid swinging movement, the link means being extendible, and including means for locking the tipping frame against lengthwise sliding movement in one direction and means for thereafter applying raising movement to the tipping frame while the locking means is engaged to extend the link means while raising the tipping frame beyond the normal position thereoffor dumping the container on the vehicle.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,517,716 8/1950 Rolf et al. 298-22 2,894,785 7/1959 Yackel 298-22 1,152,510 9/1915 Hunt 298-14 1,442,954 1/ 1923 Lafleur 298-14 1,670,232 5/1928 Biszantz 298-12 2,308,648 1/1943 De Vry et al 214--146.5 3,144,149 8/1964 Dempster et al 214-505 FOREIGN PATENTS 1,003,050 2/ 1957 Germany.

847,163 9/ 1960 Great Britain.

ALBERT J. MAKAY, Primary Examiner.

US. Cl. X.R. 

